Gilgamesh: Mesopotamian Versus American Culture

Summary: Uses the ancient Mesopotamian text "Gilgamesh" to compare Mesopotamian and American cultures.

On the surface, Gilgamesh is a myth that follows a king on his quest for immortality. On a deeper level, it is the story of an entire culture. From Gilgamesh, one can determine many things about this civilization. The following paragraphs will explore what Gilgamesh tells us about sex, leadership, civilization, and religion in Mesopotamia, and how it all relates to American culture today.

Gilgamesh teaches us a lot about sexual freedom in Mesopotamia. In this culture, extramarital affairs were frowned upon, but not uncommon. Gilgamesh is depicted as a womanizer who prefers to sleep with other men's wives. This behavior prompts the citizens of Uruk to complain to the gods. It was not popular in Mesopotamian culture to wait to know someone before engaging in sexual activity . Enkidu has known Shamat for only one day when they make love for a week. Eventually, Shamat...